Los Angeles is not known for being a cheap place to visit, but this is a bit of a misconception. Sure, if you book a fancy beachside hotel, travel around by Uber, and spend all your cash on eating out, you’ll break the bank pretty quick. But savvy travelers know that there are cheaper ways to enjoy a city than shelling out cash at every turn. By turning down the luxury dial on your vacation, you can easily cut your price tag in half or even more. If this sounds appealing to you, read on as we break down how to take a cheap vacation in Los Angeles, California.
Finding Cheap Flights to LAX
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First things first, you are going to need to find a flight at the best possible price. Fortunately, Los Angeles International Airport is one of the most traveled airports in the world, which means there are a lot of flights to choose from. With more options comes a higher chance of finding a good deal. While it is possible to find a cheap, last-minute flight to LAX, your best bet is to book as early as possible. You can sign up for fare alerts anytime you complete a GoLastMinute flight search to keep an eye on pricing and book when you see the prices drop. Traveling during the week is also a good option, as mid-week flights can sometimes be half the price of weekend flights, thanks to the lower demand.
Finding Cheap Accomodations
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Ideally, you won’t be spending a ton of time at the hotel, so there’s no need to spring for a 4 or 5-star hotel. You’ll also want to avoid hotels that are right on the beach or right next to the airport, as those will be in higher demand and will likely come with a higher price tag. Stick to bare-bones accommodations in places like Koreatown, Rancho Park, or Torrance to get the best deal. You’ll have to travel a bit further to get to the beach and other attractions, but your wallet will thank you for it!
Public Transportation
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Car rentals and cab rides are next on the list of things that can balloon your price tag. But LA has pretty good public transportation, with subways, light rail, buses, and shuttles that service every corner of the city. By utilizing public transit, you can reduce your transportation costs to being practically negligible. Once you get to places like Santa Monica or Venice Beach, you’ll be able to get around on foot or by renting a bike. When planning your trip, just make sure to see how long it will take for you to get where you need to go and pick your hotel accordingly.
Best Beaches
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Beaches are completely free and offer hours of activities, like sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, volleyball, and more. This is your ticket to staying under budget. Grab food at a local market for a beachside picnic to avoid overpaying at restaurants and buy street food to get a taste of the local flavor. Santa Monica or Venice Beach are your best options for a beach day, as both are bustling with enough activity to keep you entertained. Watch street performers on the pier, window shop at local stores, make friends with other tourists, or just lay out and read a book in the sun.
Free Attractions
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Once you’ve gotten your fill of the beaches, consider a bit of sightseeing or explore a free museum. The Getty Center and The Broad have free general admission and are both world-class art museums with breathtaking displays for you to explore (you will want to get reservations if you are going to The Broad, however). Any trip to LA wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, lined with handprints and footprints of famous celebrities. Make sure to get a selfie with the iconic Hollywood sign to really get the full experience!
